Home Church was the big announcement today.  It lived up to the hype.  Some will wrongly describe the big announcement as Two-Hour Church Meetings.  They err.  That was a program change down stream from the big announcement.

President Nelson laid it out with almost the first words he spoke.

We are done with a meetinghouse-centered church supported by what happens in homes.

The time has come for a home-centered church supported by what happens in meetinghouses.

Briefly, we are supposed to think of ourselves as running our own family church that attends a meeting with other family churches on Sundays.  Something like those ‘family schools’ for homeschoolers where they meet once or twice a week.  How our family church works is up to us.  In support, the Church is unrolling a new study book that is meant to be used at Sunday meeting and at home both.  Also in support, the Sunday meeting is being reduced from three hours to two hours.  Sabbath.lds.org has a rundown and resources.

I heard the rumors of a new two-hour block.  I was opposed to it.  Then Conference, then the Prophet started speaking.  It was as if I were hearing it for the first time, my reactions were completely new.  I knew  home-centered church was what we have been needing.  The Spirit was strong.  He gently pointed out to me how my three main concerns that I had brought to Conference were all answered by this change.

Further talks from the Apostles and Brethren have cemented my faith in this change.  Even some of my most rarifed concerns, such as an insufficient value put on family culture in the Church, were addressed by Elder Bangerter.  (My wife pointed out that these changes make us harder to persecute.  If the devil’s servants shut down our meetinghouses, we keep churching at home and laugh him to scorn.)

I testify that our dear and mighty Father made these changes.  Profound blessings await.  I greatly anticipate in the coming days hearing from you about the unique way you have tested the Lord in this matter and been blessed.